Oxshott to Get ANPR Camera to Enforce HGV Restrictions on A244
Where the New Camera Will Sit and Why It Matters
Anyone who drives through Oxshott knows the A244 well. It is the main route through our village, linking homes, shops and the schools that many local children walk to each day. That is why a decision on heavy goods vehicles on this stretch has been so closely watched by residents. Surrey County Council has agreed to install one automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera at the Copsem Lane end of the road. The camera is expected to be up and running from early 2027.
The location is significant. Copsem Lane is one of the access points that lorries use when passing through the village, so a camera here can read registration plates and check vehicles against the restrictions already in place. Three years ago the council introduced a night-time HGV ban and a 20mph speed limit in the village centre. Many residents welcomed those measures, but they say the rules have been difficult to enforce without cameras. Lorries rumbling through at night have been a regular complaint, and some families have described babies being woken by the noise.
For a village that values its quiet streets and safe pavements, the camera is a practical step. It also signals that the council has listened to people who live along the route.
Who Is Behind the Petition and What Changes for Them
The campaign was led by the Federation of Oxshott Residents and Associations, known as Fedora. The group launched its petition in June and collected more than 800 signatures, which gave it weight when it approached the council. Its chairman, Ian Dilks, has been clear that a single camera is a welcome start but addresses only half of the problem. The petition also asked for ANPR and speed cameras in both directions along the A244, and for continuous pavements to be built so that pupils and pedestrians are not forced to walk on the verge.
Surrey’s transport lead, Matt Furniss, pointed to a single ANPR camera in Farnham, which he said cut the number of overweight vehicles dramatically within weeks once fines began to be issued. He wants to see how the Oxshott camera performs before committing to more, which means residents should expect the debate to continue.
The changes will also reach beyond the village boundary. Hauliers, delivery drivers and tradespeople who serve Oxshott, and firms working across the wider area including Guildford, will need to plan routes more carefully. Local businesses that rely on deliveries should check which roads are restricted at night, and sole traders may want to review their schedules to avoid unexpected penalties.
What Residents Should Know and What to Watch Next
If you live in Oxshott, there are several practical steps you can take. First, keep a note of when and where HGVs cause problems, including the time of day, the road and the type of vehicle. Clear records help the council understand the scale of the issue and can support future requests for more enforcement. Second, consider contacting your Surrey county councillor or attending local meetings where transport and road safety are discussed. Fedora has been the main voice for residents, so joining or following its updates is a good way to stay informed.
Homeowners planning building work should also take note. If you are considering a loft conversion or loft rebuilding, speak to your contractor about delivery times and skip placement before work begins. Builders in Guildford and across Surrey often work to tight schedules, and a lorry arriving during a restricted period could cause delays or fines. Asking your builder to confirm their routes can save time, money and frustration for everyone on the street.
Looking ahead, the key dates are the camera’s installation in early 2027 and the first figures on vehicles caught breaking restrictions. Residents will also want to see whether the council considers the speed cameras and pavement improvements requested in the petition. We will keep reporting on each step as it develops.
Source: New camera to be installed in Oxshott following HGV petition
